Situational diagnosis of plans for the surveillance, prevention and control of COVID-19 at work in the hydrocarbon sector

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, economic activities were restricted to limit the risk of contagion, and companies were required to prepare and register the plan for COVID-19 surveillance, prevention and control in the workplace prior to resuming activities. Objective: To describe the status of plan registration in the hydrocarbon sector during the first half of 2020, as well as the characteristics of health professionals and occupational health and safety supervisors or committees. Methods: Cross-sectional study with secondary analysis of databases obtained from the Integrated System for COVID-19 of Companies (Sistema Integrado para COVID-19 de Empresas, SISCOVID Empresas) and government public data on the mining sector. Results: We reviewed 2,566 plans and identified 54 198 hydrocarbon companies in the 2020 period. Regarding the plans registered, 5.9% of companies did not have an occupational safety and health supervisor or committee, and 63% do not have a health professional. Conclusions: There is evidence of non-compliance with plan registration requirements among hydrocarbon companies. There is also non-compliance with the requirement of having a health professional, occupational safety and health committee or supervisor. The findings show serious deficiencies in plan registration, which could lead to inadequate management of the activities to monitor, prevent and control COVID-19 in the workplace. Companies are advised to develop, register, and implement their plans to protect the health of their employees.